Gary Bettman: NHL in Seattle Would 'Probably Be Pretty Fun'

It doesn't seem like getting the NHL to place a team in Seattle is comparable to a non-sedated tooth extraction.

Edited by Joanna Nesgoda

By Paul Rogers Mar 4, 2014, 9:00am PST

With each passing day, it feels more and more like the NHL wants to be in Seattle. Check out the following tweet from Jeff Paterson, who covers the Canucks for 1040 AM in Vancouver:

Bettman on Seattle: 'it'd probably be pretty fun for #Canucks to have a legitimate geographic rival.' #NHL
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) March 2, 2014

He is referring, of course, to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in Vancouver on Sunday for the Canucks' Heritage Classic game against the Ottawa Senators.

I know this is just a small thing for Bettman to say, but how long do you think it's been since David Stern used the words 'fun' and 'Seattle' in the same sentence?

It's far from a done deal to bring the NHL to town and many things still have to happen, but things are happening. To use an infamous Sally Field Oscars quote as a cheesy metaphor, the NHL wants us. They really want us.

TEAM NAME AND JERSEYS

Speaking of fun, it's always enjoyable to keep dreaming about things like potential team names and colors for an NHL team in Seattle. What if the team was called the Pilots? Here is a link to some concept art, posted at boards.sportslogos.net by a gentleman named Sean McCarthey. He has sets for the colors schemes of both the Seahawks and the Mariners.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

The good folks at Sportsgrid.com aren't necessarily thrilled for expansion out of talent dilution concerns, but do seem happy for Seattle if it happens.

PETER PUCK

Excited about the potential arrival of the NHL, but don't know the game very well? I'm right there with you. Who better to help us than Mr. Peter Puck? Mr. Puck was was an animated regular on Hockey Night In Canada back in the 1970's. Here is a series of his videos:

Part one